John A. Chapman

John A. Chapman
Chapman in uniform
Born(1965-07-14)July 14, 1965
Springfield, Massachusetts, United States
DiedMarch 4, 2002(2002-03-04) (aged 36)
Takur Ghar, Paktia, Afghanistan
Buried
Saint Mary Byzantine Catholic Church Cemetery, Windber, Pennsylvania
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Air Force
Years of service1985–2002
RankMaster Sergeant
Unit21st Special Tactics Squadron
320th Special Tactics Squadron
24th Special Tactics Squadron
Battles/wars
AwardsMedal of Honor
Purple Heart
Spouse(s)
Valerie Nessel
(m. 1992)
Children2

John Allan Chapman (July 14, 1965 – March 4, 2002) was a combat controller in the United States Air Force who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on August 22, 2018, for his actions in the Battle of Takur Ghar during the War in Afghanistan.[1] He is the first airman to receive the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War.[2] He was inducted into the Hall of Heroes on August 23, 2018, and posthumously promoted to Master Sergeant on the following day.

Chapman was also the first Air Force combat controller to be awarded the Air Force Cross. His award was subsequently upgraded to the Medal of Honor.[3]

  1. ^ "Fallen airman earning MoH". defense.mil. August 20, 2018. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  2. ^ "Report: Fallen Air Force Tech Sgt. Approved for Medal of Honor". Military.com. April 20, 2018. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  3. ^ "TSgt John Chapman – CCSHF". CCSHF. Retrieved April 21, 2018.